Bulbring Welcomes Former Team Mates to Parc y Scarlets

When David Bulbring signed for the Scarlets, he never expected to be opening the 2017-2018 campaign by playing his former team the Southern Kings in the first historical match of the season.
After enjoying two stints with the club that was founded in 2009 for the Lions Tour, Bulbring joined the Scarlets in 2016 and despite an extensive change in personnel, he has provided the coaching staff with a valuable insight into Southern Kings Rugby. “It’s a very physical game” he revealed. “They like to run the ball. They will start fast, impose themselves by being as physical as possible. There’s a big focus on the set-piece in South African Rugby – lots of mauls!”
Born in Port Elizabeth and living there for 18 years, Bulbring is well-acquainted with Saturday’s opponents along with the conditions the Scarlets will face out there during their mini-tour at the end of November.
“It’s one of the smaller cities in South Africa” he continued. “The stadium itself is much bigger – it was built for the Soccer World Cup in 2010. Port Elizabeth is coastal…. it’s known as ‘the Windy City’…. just like Llanelli really!” he joked!
Of the two South African teams to join the Pro14 this season, Bulbring believes that the Cheetahs pose the biggest threat as they play a more authentic South African style of rugby and due to a more settled squad have had more time to prepare.
Having spoken to former Kings teammates, Bulbring added that they were also forward to the new challenge ahead – the first visit to Wales for many of them as they all face a huge unknown, but this is something that everyone is looking forward to.
“We hope for a big vocal crowd supporting us on Saturday!” concluded the Second Rower.
Meanwhile Head Coach, Wayne Pivac confirmed that once again the Scarlets hoped to make the home advantage count, urging everyone to cut short their holidays to get to the match on Saturday. “The weather will be great; the players can’t wait! It will be a good display and as always the boys will be lifted by the crowd.”
Despite a ‘wake-up’ call against Gloucester last Friday, he continued that they ‘wouldn’t be losing too much sleep’ over the result. Pinpointing poor communication in defence along with attacks being set up too wide as the major points that needed working on following last week’s performance.
“It was a wakeup call,” he continued “We were rusty against Gloucester but our focus has been to improve our fitness levels to play at a high tempo. We don’t want a slow start like last season.”
Pivac confirmed that the target was to start with Leigh Halfpenny playing at Full Back, with Johnny McNicholl supporting on the Wing, along with Steff Evans who has been declared available following a positive scan on a hamstring niggle.
Internationals Jake Ball and Rob Evans both had 40 minutes of rugby last Friday and are also available to play, along with James ‘Cubby Boi’ Davies.
With limited footage available of the current Southern Kings Squad, Pivac added that he had been impressed with the Super Rugby performances he’d seen, but his focus was on the Scarlets rather than the opposition, adding “We know that if you don’t play well, don’t do your homework and prepare well you pay the price – we did on Friday.”
Along with welcoming the South African teams to Wales, Pivac believes that the mini tour to South Africa will have a positive effect for the team as it offers them a chance to bond as they will be spending more time together. He offered more positives regarding the new structure of the League also, with 6 teams qualifying and the extra play-off round “a good thing or 2 good teams could miss out.”
With competition in so many positions in the squad at present, Pivac concluded that he was adamant that ‘two-year syndrome’ doesn’t set in, warning that the squad for Saturday’s game may not fully be the one that most anticipate. He added “It was evident in some on Friday that there was rustiness. They may have won the championship last season but for Saturday’s team, pre-season form is as important.”
Parc y Scarlets will host this historic game on Saturday, September 2nd, 2017. Kick-off is at 5.30pm…. show your support and let’s hope for another successful season!